Learning bass at 50, never played an instrument before

[going4groove]

Hi everyone.

I'm not a great joiner of sites but this one's proved it's worth. I've been hanging around for awhile and it's become my go-to place for answers. I've typed in everything from 'my bass is out of tune on random frets' to 'help, I want to quit!' and I've always found useful information. I feel like it's time to join the community.

I started playing a year ago, having never played an instrument before. I've always danced though and friends who are musicians have suggested for years that I get on the other side of the music and start to play. So I did, and I chose bass because there really was no contest - bass is what I listen to, dance to, what I really love and crave in music. Deep noises. The low end. You know.

So here I am, a year in, and loving it. Playing has become a huge part of my life, as much as dancing (maybe even more?), which says a lot, and it's what I do after a tough day at work or when I want to treat myself to some fun, and almost every day just to keep getting better than I was the day before. I played 5 different borrowed and rented basses before buying a secondhand Squier and I taught myself what I could online and by talking to many, many bassists, local and touring, at the local blues club. Now I'm looking forward to taking lessons in the fall with a teacher who is highly recommended (teaches at the university - yikes!). I'm really excited for what Year 2 holds.

See you in the forums.

 

[petrus61]

Hi everyone.

I'm not a great joiner of sites but this one's proved it's worth. I've been hanging around for awhile and it's become my go-to place for answers. I've typed in everything from 'my bass is out of tune on random frets' to 'help, I want to quit!' and I've always found useful information. I feel like it's time to join the community.

I started playing a year ago, having never played an instrument before. I've always danced though and friends who are musicians have suggested for years that I get on the other side of the music and start to play. So I did, and I chose bass because there really was no contest - bass is what I listen to, dance to, what I really love and crave in music. Deep noises. The low end. You know.

So here I am, a year in, and loving it. Playing has become a huge part of my life, as much as dancing (maybe even more?), which says a lot, and it's what I do after a tough day at work or when I want to treat myself to some fun, and almost every day just to keep getting better than I was the day before. I played 5 different borrowed and rented basses before buying a secondhand Squier and I taught myself what I could online and by talking to many, many bassists, local and touring, at the local blues club. Now I'm looking forward to taking lessons in the fall with a teacher who is highly recommended (teaches at the university - yikes!). I'm really excited for what Year 2 holds.

See you in the forums.

Welcome!

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Yes welcome. A teacher will save you a lot of time plus point out the things that could develop into bad habits. Get with other musicians, in the garage, or wherever and start playing with people, that will make you learn the good useful "stuff".

Welcome to our World.

 

[going4groove]

Thanks!

 

[sirdeke]

I agree 100% on a teacher. Bass, guitar... are difficult instruments in terms of ergonomics (as well as building callouses). You need a teacher to check you on the correct hand positioning (left and right), otherwise you will develop awful habits that are much harder to break later on. I'm a guitar player new to bass, but from learning guitar ages ago, and teaching my wife (she's pretty good), just realize the first month or so might be miserable. Keep going and the rewards will be there. As for playing along with songs to learn, if you have a Mac I found a great app - iRehearse. It lets you load mp3s of any song you want, then adjust the pitch (if tuning is an issue), but more importantly the speed or tempo so you can slow it way down. Lesson #1, a hard one to learn for many (including me): If you can't play it slow, no way can you play it fast. I see they no longer support Windows version, but it may still be available or something like it. Has to be more apps like it.